There is no evidence that Boris Johnson personally committed war crimes, and no court has charged him with them. However, his record as UK Prime Minister (2019 to 2022) attracted strong criticism from humanitarian groups and legal commentators. They argued that he resisted international scrutiny of alleged war crimes and backed governments accused of serious breaches.

1 – ICC investigation into Israel

In 2021, 13 humanitarian agencies criticised Johnson for opposing an International Criminal Court (ICC) inquiry into alleged war crimes in the Palestinian territories. He said the investigation gave the impression of being “a partial and prejudicial attack on a friend and ally of the UK”.

2 – Criticism of a UK police inquiry

In January 2024, after leaving office, Johnson criticised a Metropolitan Police investigation into alleged war crimes in Gaza. He described it as “worrying politicisation of the Met Police”. The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians said his comments risked undermining a lawful process.

3 – Support for Saudi Arabia in Yemen

Johnson faced sustained criticism for supporting the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, both as Foreign Secretary and as Prime Minister. He also came under pressure for not blocking UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia, despite allegations that coalition actions breached international humanitarian law.

4 – Claims about a Ukraine and Russia peace track

Reports published in 2024, and repeated in 2025, claimed Johnson urged Ukraine’s leadership to step away from a possible peace agreement with Russia soon after the 2022 invasion. According to those accounts, he favoured continuing the war rather than negotiating early.

5 – Handling of allegations involving UK troops

His government also drew criticism for plans that critics said could protect UK service personnel from prosecution over alleged war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan. Human Rights Watch argued such measures could reinforce impunity.

Contrasting actions

In contrast, while serving as Prime Minister, Johnson spoke out forcefully against Vladimir Putin. He accused Russia of war crimes in Ukraine and supported ICC efforts linked to those allegations.

In short, critics have not accused Johnson of personally carrying out war crimes. Still, they say he weakened international legal systems when allegations involved allies, and backed policies linked to civilian harm.